Dinner for four in East or West village

[Mini girl]

I'm looking for a place for Sat night dinner with another couple either in the village or SoHo area. Looking for Italian or contemporary. The other couple is from out of town so looking for something very New York like experience. Our budget is $50 without drinks. Thanks so much.

[Linsybee1]

You should go to Otto, its on the border of the east and west villages, one fifth avenue. It's casual interesting italian. You can get a lot of food for not a lot of money. I would recommend the margarita pizza, penne a la norma, and the cheeses! Also the olive oil gelato. I know it sounds gross, but trust me, it is amazing!

[Mini girl]

Thanks a lot for the suggestions. All four fit our criteria. Now its down to where we can get a reservation.

Thanks a lot

[Pan]

You've actually had 5 recommendations. :-)

I believe Max does not take reservations. I went there once years ago, found the food overly salty, and haven't been back. I can get cheaper food at non-Italian restaurants and would rather pay a bit more for better Italian food, such as in the places I recommended.

Question to Linsybee: Is Otto appreciably cheaper than Lupa, or is it just larger?

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Lupa
170 Thompson Street, New York, NY 10012

[Pan]

I'd recommend Supper, though I also like Frank.

If you'd rather not risk a long wait, Cacio e Vino takes reservations and also might not have a long wait for you if you walk in. It's more of a genuine Italian than a New York experience, though, in a way. All the staff there speak Italian, they have a fair number of Southern Italian customers, and their wood-fired pizza and schiacciata are very authentic. The staff also know and love wine, and there always seems to be a good-value half-price bottle.

Lest I be misunderstood, I really enjoy Cacio e Vino for what it is but consider Supper and probably Frank (I don't go there as often) to be more well-rounded restaurants, in that they offer reliably good secondi as well as antipasti, etc.

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Frank
88 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

Supper
156 E 2nd St, New York, NY 10009

Cacio e Vino
80 2nd Avenue, New York, NY 10003

[princeofpork]

East village do Frank or Max. Be prepared to wait.